2023-07-10 19:15:00
The time for the summer break came earlier than expected for the big boys of MotoGP who went on vacation from June 25, the evening of the Dutch Grand Prix. The discovery of Kazakhstan initially fixed for last weekend having disappeared from the calendar, the queen category offers itself an XXL break: five weeks! In the Var corner of the paddock, it is an understatement to say that the Tech3 team, now all dressed in red – the color of the Spanish manufacturer GasGas, KTM’s sister brand – had a lively start to the season. Groggy after the heavy fall of its leader Pol Espargaro, seriously injured from the start, the Bormean commando led by Hervé Poncharal quickly recovered. What accelerate the learning of rookie Augusto Fernandez, amazing at Le Mans (4th) among others.
Hervé, first of all, can you tell us if Pol Espargaro will definitely be back on the starting grid at the end of the summer break?
Yes! It has been a certainty since his visit the other day to the Assen paddock (end of June, during the Dutch GP, editor’s note). All the major specialists in the spine, spinal cord, recently consulted both in Spain and Austria have given him the green light to restart at Silverstone (British GP, August 4-6). Across the Channel, physically, it will be 100% operational.
And mentally?
Pol had the honesty to take full responsibility for this crash that occurred during free practice 2 in Portimao. He talked about a rookie mistake. For him who aspired to fight with the neighbors of the KTM team (Brad Binder et Jack Miller), it was a terrible setback. During the five weeks he kept his jaw clenched and ate nothing but soup through a straw, Pol asked himself the question: continue or stop? Today, he is pawing with impatience. Hot as embers! But he is 32 years old, a wife and two daughters. Will he immediately find his handlebar top gun automatisms? Will he be able to approach the limit as before? The future will tell.
Established at short notice, has Jonas Folger succeeded in his interim?
Completely! His last race in MotoGP was in 2017 (already at Tech3, but riding a Yamaha). Jonas did not want to replace Pol. He had to be convinced. He came and did the job as expected. Keeping your head on your shoulders, without trying to tickle Augusto and the others. Mission accomplished. Now he resumes his role as test pilot. With this experience which will have improved it, I think.
Another KTM test rider, vice-world champion MotoGP force 3, could have switched to GasGas red for the occasion: Dani Pedrosa. Disappointed by his refusal?
Not at all, no, because we know since his integration into the Pierer Mobility group that he no longer wants to chain races. Dani, he benefits from a wildcard (invitation) once or twice a season on a circuit that he files all year round, where he can shine, like in Jerez (7th in the Spanish GP on April 30… and 6th in the sprint the day before). Nothing more. So no disappointment.
Let’s come to Augusto Fernandez. At Tech3, the rookies follow each other and don’t look alike, huh?
Allow me this little wink, without bitterness: in 2022, our two rookies, outgoing Moto2 champion and vice-champion, had no hesitation in expressing doubts about the potential of the KTM, the quality of the Tech3 team. Today one (Australia’s Remy Gardner) evolves in World Superbike where he does not really break the house (11th after 12 races, on a Yamaha). As for the other (in Spanish Raul Fernandez)he was delighted at the start of the season to join a dream team and ride a dream machine (Aprilia-RNF). Result: in the 8 rounds contested so far, he has scored fewer points than Jonas in the space of 6 GPs (8 against 9). And he has never yet finished ahead of Augusto. Never! After that, should I specify that we are very happy to have recruited this young driver whom some described as needy last winter?
What is the secret of its rapid adaptation?
Augusto, first of all, he’s a well-behaved boy. A real hard worker. He understood that to work constructively, you have to boost your team, motivate it. He listens. He understands. He applies. How to get good results quickly. With the Grand Prix de France as a highlight. Attention, at Le Mans, it is not a question of a 4th place at a discount because everyone fell in front. Augusto finishes P4 at 1”5 from Johann Zarco. In Assen, he climbed from last to 10th after being thrown off the track and crossing the gravel trap on lap 1. Not bad, like his current classification (14e, 42 pts)far from ridiculous.
Where do you see its main room for improvement?
Augusto is aiming high. During our last briefing in the Netherlands, I heard him insist again that he was driving to win as soon as possible, not to make up the numbers. He has ambition and speed. But this performance, he still has to optimize it. Improve the “time attack” (qualifying round) in order to be better positioned on the starting grid. And then gain a little aggressiveness during the first 4 or 5 loops. This is where he must sign his fastest lap, not the 18th or 20th as it happens too often. These are the two priorities to reach a new level between summer and autumn.
After that? Augusto is today the only one of the four KTM and GasGas riders with a one-year contract. In your eyes, does he deserve to go second?
Oh yes, without hesitation! The Pierer Mobility group manages the contracts of the two teams. This case is therefore in their hands. I don’t hide from you that in my mind, Augusto will be back with us next year. Considering what he achieves, how could it be otherwise?
So what about the nugget Pedro Acosta who absolutely wants to push the doors of the premier category in 2024?
That’s the business of my Austrian friends. Good luck guys! The KTM sector has a plethora of talented young riders at all levels, Rookies Cup, Moto3, Moto2. Therefore, at the top of the pyramid there is often a problem of the rich. Four or five years ago, they let Jorge Martin go (Zarco’s teammate at Ducati-Pramac, current 2nd in the championship). There, it would be better to find a way out for Acosta. Which? I don’t know. Pol has a two-year contract. With two places for three, there will inevitably be a disappointment at the end of the story.
A word on the RC16 to conclude: set back during pre-season testing in Portugal, it teases the Ducati reference today. How do you explain this metamorphosis?
KTM did not hide its game during the final dress rehearsal in Portimao. Our goal was to test parts, not to panic the clock. Once all the best ingredients are gathered, from the opening round (GP of Portugal), we saw that the bike was going strong. Today, KTM is the second force on the board. Look at the gaps: not much is missing. Binder demonstrates this at every race. Miller too. Too bad he puts his muzzle a little too much in the gravel. And you can count on the people of the Pierer Mobility group not to slow down development.
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